[syngindub]

Used Milton with my last brew and will probably use it again

[The Mulk]

I've never seen any HB in Maynooth, only Naas. Maynooth would be handy!

[Ratsathome]

I use the bleach/vinegar solution as well without any problem.I know they are not long lasting(keeping it)maybe a day or two after then the PH change.

[rubadub]

Originally Posted by syngindub

Used Milton with my last brew and will probably use it again

Milton is a mixture of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and table salt (sodium chloride). It is weaker than normal bleach but many times the price.

[Degsy]

I bought a two litre bottle of tesco thin bleach for 49 cents..it does the trick very well.

And Tesco Clearwater doesnt sell homebrew either..no idea why,its certainly big enough

[syngindub]

what are you guys using to clean the fermenter once you have bottled?

[Baz_]

Well I'm still just a noob but I just washed it with soapy water to make sure it was clean and all heavy dirt was gone and then soaked it in sanitising solution after that. Boom!

Edit for clarity: I use the cheap vinegar/bleach sanitiser.

[Lars]

Originally Posted by syngindub

what are you guys using to clean the fermenter once you have bottled?

Warm water and elbowgrease.

The DIY sanitiser doesnt last more than a couple of days according to the guys on HBT, you need to make it up fresh when you want it...

[BeerNut]

Originally Posted by Baz_

I just washed it with soapy water

You'll probably be fine, but in general it's a bad idea to let anything soapy near a beer vessel: fermenter or bottle. Residual soap can kill head retention.

Warm water and elbow grease does me. Sometimes a washing up sponge, but only the spongey side: anything even slightly abrasive can scratch the plastic leaving a bacteria trap.

[Baz_]

Originally Posted by BeerNut

You'll probably be fine, but in general it's a bad idea to let anything soapy near a beer vessel: fermenter or bottle. Residual soap can kill head retention.

Warm water and elbow grease does me. Sometimes a washing up sponge, but only the spongey side: anything even slightly abrasive can scratch the plastic leaving a bacteria trap.

Well luckily I prefaced my comment with the fact I'm noob, but I did not know that. I do use a soft cloth though in order to avoid scratches.

So to clarify you'rejust meant to pour hot water in clean as best you can and then into sanitiser. No fairy?

[BeerNut]

Yes. It's not like cleaning a frying pan: the gunge is soft and rubs off easily.

[Baz_]

Hopefully I got away with it. Have a stout on now and the fermentation seemed way more vigorous (bigger fluffier krausen), don't know if that's any indication at all, but in my defense I was a bit cod when rinsing soap off.

I shall not use it again, however. And every day is still a school day. Cheers beernut.

[rubadub]

Originally Posted by BeerNut

the gunge is soft and rubs off easily.

and if the dirt did dry & go hard you should leave it steep, submerged with just water for a few days and then it should come off.

[BeerNut]

Originally Posted by rubadub

and if the dirt did dry & go hard you should leave it steep, submerged with just water for a few days and then it should come off.

And use the time to consider carefully if, as someone who doesn't clean things immediately after use, homebrewing is really the hobby for you

[Tube]

Originally Posted by BeerNut

And use the time to consider carefully if, as someone who doesn't clean things immediately after use, homebrewing is really the hobby for you

Depends on how much gear has accumulated over the years, and therefore the need to clean immediately after use.